MP wants TSC recruitment, deployment criteria revised to block ‘aged’ Teachers

MP wants TSC recruitment, deployment criteria revised to block ‘aged’ Teachers

Members of Parliament are planning to investigate the criteria for recruiting and deploying teachers in schools nationwide. This inquiry is prompted by a request from Joyce Bensuda, the Woman Representative for Homa Bay County.

In her appeal to the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Education, Bensuda expressed concerns about the practice of assigning newly hired teachers who are close to retirement—often with just a year or less left—to schools. She pointed out that such placements disrupt the educational process, as these teachers do not have sufficient time to acclimate to the school environment or build meaningful connections with students.

“This situation results in a diminished focus on student welfare, as these teachers may not be fully committed to the school, ultimately impacting academic performance and school management,” she explained.

Bensuda referenced guidelines from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and UNESCO, which advocate for stability and continuity in the teaching profession to ensure quality education. She argued that the current practice of deploying teachers nearing retirement contradicts these principles, leading to inconsistencies in educational outcomes across schools.

The committee aims to clarify the procedures involved in teacher recruitment and deployment to promote stability and continuity for both educators and students. They will also prepare a report on the recruitment criteria, taking into account school demographics and the needs of the student population.

Additionally, the committee will investigate what measures the Ministry of Education has implemented to ensure that teachers are hired while they are still in their prime, thereby maximizing their long-term teaching effectiveness. They will also review existing policies regarding the maximum number of schools in each region, ward, or area, and how these policies affect the equitable distribution of teachers across all schools.